Backgammon – Three Main Schemes
In exceptionally simple terms, there are three fundamental plans used. You need to be able to hop between strategies almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is then in serious calamity considering that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as this action much improves your chances. The better places for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!
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